Foreign Control Saga: A Monster Affecting Shipping Operations in Nigeria – Anifowose
By: James Shodiya -Shipping is an international business meant to fastrack a timely and cost effective trade. But in Nigeria the reverse seems to be the case as the Western Zone Coordinator of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agent, ANLCA. Femi Anifowose has accused the Operations of Foreign shipping companies in Nigeria alleging systematic inefficiencies, economic losses and regulatory gabs in their Operations in the country.
Speaking recently in an interview in Lagos, Anifowose pointed accusing finger on operational style of some major shipping lines particularly Maersk Line and Hapag-Lloyd, saying that they majorly operating from India while their offices in Nigeria are mere figures heads.
According to the ANLCA Western Zone Boss, the arrangement has created persistent delays in processing essential critical clearing documents especially debit notes and payment confirmations due to time Zone difference between Nigeria and India.
I’m his words” It takes hours to confirm payment because everything is handled from India. Meanwhile in our line of working even a few minutes delay can cause a huge loss.
He stressed that the Customs Agents usually find it difficult to complete transactions on time due to delayed confirmation from a foreign based operational systems.
Anifowose lamented that despite these delay masterminded by the shipping firms, demurrage are still charged at the expense of the Agents.
He however called on the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently address what he terms exploitative practice by foreign shipping companies operating within Nigeria’s maritime domain.
